How Can an Environmental Claims Attorney Help Those Impacted by an Environmental Issue?
As industrialization continues to spread across the United States, so does the pollution that is a by-product of that industrialization. Unfortunately, large corporations were allowed to pollute the water and air for many decades before environmental controls were implemented. The effects of this pollution are showing up now in the form of illness for Americans exposed to these industrial byproduct toxins. If you have been negatively impacted by an environmental hazard and are now suffering from an illness or other medical issue, Carmichael Law Group can help.
Attorney Brian Carmichael will gather all the necessary evidence and craft a compelling, comprehensive case on your behalf. An environmental claims attorney from Carmichael Law Group can navigate the most complex case, securing a positive outcome, thanks to our ability to thoroughly research, zealously investigate, and bring in expert testimony when necessary. We represent clients across the nation—if you have a story to tell regarding a big corporation that failed to protect those who worked for them or lived in the area, we want to hear it. When an industry causes environmental toxins that harm people and result in disease, there should be consequences.
Current Investigations and Lawsuits Across the U.S.
While there are many, many current investigations and lawsuits regarding environmental toxins and lawsuits, the following are particularly well-known across the country.
- Camp Lejeune is known as the worst public drinking water contamination in the history of our nation. Marine Corp members, their families, and employees of Camp Lejeune who were at the camp (living and working) between 1953 and 1987 potentially drank toxin-laden water. Those who lived and worked at Camp Lejeune during those years were found to have a higher incidence of Parkinson’s disease as well as certain types of cancer. Women at Camp Lejeune had much higher rates of miscarriages, fertility issues, and babies born with birth defects. The toxins were two-fold: the Marine Corps dumped industrial wastewater and oil into the storm drains and buried radioactive materials on the Camp Lejeune grounds. A local drycleaning business was also dumping drycleaning toxins into storm drains, including benzene, PCE, and TCE (solvents used for dry cleaning and metal degreasing). The EPA tested the levels of TCE at 1,400 ug/L in May 1982 (the EPA limit is 5 ug/L). All the dangerous chemicals being dumped on the grounds were leeching to the water wells that provided drinking water to those who lived and worked at the camp. The primary diseases linked to the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune include breast cancer, prostate cancer, esophageal cancer, bladder cancer, kidney cancer, Parkinson’s Disease, renal toxicity, lung cancer, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Multiple Myeloma, leukemia, female infertility, and liver cancer. As of March 2024, a total of $3.6 million in payouts has been made to those harmed at Camp Lejeune. Over $21 billion has been set aside for Camp Lejeune payouts, however, you only have until August 2024 to file your claim so speak to an environmental claims attorney as soon as possible.
- Ethylene Oxide is a gas emitted from certain manufacturing and corporate facilities. These facilities operated without sufficient pollution controls that would have limited or eliminated toxic EtO gases. As a result, those who lived and worked in these areas suffered a significantly increased risk of developing serious cancer. The lawsuits against these corporations allege that they knew—or should have known—the health risks associated with EtO emissions yet failed to warn those working and living in the area of the hazards. Hundreds of EtO lawsuits have been filed against a wide array of companies that ignored the safety of human beings. In 2022 Sterigenics was ordered to pay $363 million to a Willowbrook, IL woman who developed breast cancer as a result of her exposure. In this one area alone, more than 700 other individuals have filed suit against companies that spewed toxins into the environment. Almost a hundred facilities in the U.S. work with ethylene oxide, which is widely used in the manufacturing of fabrics, personal care items, and household cleaners, so it is expected that many more lawsuits will be filed in the future.
- PFAS Injury—According to earthjustice.org, every day millions of Americans across the nation drink water contaminated with potentially harmful levels of PFAS, which is a class of chemicals that are known to be toxic to humans. Unfortunately, even though PFAS exposure can cause cancer, infertility, and impaired fetal development, they are virtually unregulated by the government. Humans are primarily exposed to PFAS through their drinking water; the PFAS enter the drinking water through firefighting foam used at commercial airports, industrial sites, and military bases, and then is leeched into the groundwater. Kidney cancer, impaired liver function, chronic intestinal inflammation, disruption of thyroid hormones, weakened immune systems, preeclampsia, and elevated blood pressure during pregnancy have all been linked to PFAS exposure. Time Magazine reported that these “forever chemical” lawsuits could ultimately surpass Big Tobacco settlements.
- PFAS Remediation—A Reuters article found that PFAS lawsuits led to more than $11 billion in settlements in 2023, with experts predicting that a growing awareness of the toxicity of PFAS as well as tougher federal regulations, will contribute to more litigation and settlements in 2024. PFAS are a group of 15,000 known chemicals, used in hundreds of consumer and commercial products, most notably, non-stick cooking pans, cosmetics, firefighting foams, and stain-resistant clothing. PFAS remediation involves technologies created to remove PFAS from our environment. Since remediation is costly and difficult, some lawsuits assist public and private entities in recovering costs involved in the removal of PFAS. Having a strong environmental claims attorney from Carmichael Law Group provides you with the advocate you need to move forward and achieve justice.
How Carmichael Law Group Can Help Those Impacted by an Environmental Issue
PFAS are serious toxins that have contaminated groundwater across the United States. If you are one of the many victims of PFAS exposure, you must speak to a highly experienced environmental claims attorney from Carmichael Law Group. We will vigorously pursue justice on your behalf, fighting aggressively to hold the negligent party accountable. We understand that there are many environmental claims attorneys out there and it can be difficult—even overwhelming—to choose one.
Many people will depend on referrals from friends, family, and co-workers, while others will look online to find a law firm they feel best reflects their goals. Carmichael Law Group offers a free consultation. During this consultation, we will answer your questions in a thorough, yet easy-to-understand manner, while comprehensively assessing the facts and circumstances of your claim. Carmichael Law Group serves clients nationwide and we are ready to offer you exemplary personalized services. With more than 400 positive Goggle reviews to our credit, you simply couldn’t choose a better environmental claims attorney than Brian Carmichael. Contact Carmichael Law Group today.
